TVS Initiative

AP Physics B
(Two Semesters)

Course Description:
Physics is the science of matter and energy - how the universe is put together. This course is a non-calculus survey course covering five general areas: Newtonian mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Students will get an understanding of the core principles involved and learn to apply these principles in the solution of problems.

Prerequisites: Algebra II, Math Analysis or Trigonometry (The College Board strongly recommends Physics B as a second-year course following the usual introductory physics course)

Textbook: Physics (Optional) ISBN: 0130606200

Course cost: $350 / student / semester + required materials

FIRST SEMESTER

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Introduction to Physics

Dimensional Analysis

Units

Conversion Factors

Uncertainty & Significant Figures

Mathematical Review

Scientific Notation

Scalars & Vectors

NEWTONIAN MECHANICS

Kinematics

Motion in One Dimension

Vectors

Equations of Motion

Slowing Car

Freefall

Unknown Planet

Ball Toss

Motion in Two Dimensions

Vectors

Equations of Motion

Projectile Motion

Cannonball

Quiz

Problems

Labs

Motion with Constant Acceleration

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton’s First Law

Newton’s Second Law

Forces in Two Dimensions

Forces in Balance

Newton’s Third Law

Introduction

Reaction Force

Gravity

Normal Force

Applications of Newton’s Laws

Inclines

Friction Forces

Inclined Plane & Friction

Pulleys

Masses on an Incline

Atwood’s Machine

Quiz

Problems

Labs

Newton’s Second Law

Atwood’s Machine

Work, Energy & Power

Work & Work-Energy Theorem

Work

Kinetic Energy

Frictional Work

Kinetic Energy & Gravity

Conservative Forces & Potential Energy

Gravity & Work

Conservative Forces

Potential Energy

Multiple Forces & Potential Energy

Conservation of Energy

Potential & Kinetic Energy

Energy & the Roller Coaster

Conservation of Energy

Roller Coaster

Pendulum

Spring Launch

Power

Work & Power

Velocity & Power

Calculation of Power

Water Wheel

Quiz

Problems

Labs

Changes in Potential Energy

Systems of Particles, Linear Momentum

Center of Mass

Plumb Lines

Earth-Sun System

Extended Objects

Impulse & Momentum

Momentum Definition

Momentum Calculation

Momentum & 2nd Law

Impulse

System of Particles

Conservation of Linear Momentum, Collisions

Collisions

Elastic Collisions

Special Collisions

Elastic Collisions in 2-D

Inelastic Collisions

Apple & Arrow

Quiz

Problems

Labs

Conservation of Linear Momentum

Circular Motion & Rotation

Uniform Circular Motion

Circular Velocity

Frequency & Period

Centripetal Acceleration

Moon's Orbit

Loop the Loop

Racetrack

Torque & Rotational Statics

Torque & Equilibrium

Meter Stick

Suspended Beam

Cord Strength

Quiz

Problems

Labs

Uniform Circular Motion

Oscillations & Gravitation

Simple Harmonic Motion

Position

Velocity

Acceleration

Period

Sinusoidal Motion

Harmonic Oscillator

Mass on a Spring

Mass-Spring System

Work Mass-Spring System

Energy Harmonic Motion

Period & Frequency

Resonance

Pendulum & Other Oscillations

Pendulum

Harmonic Motion

Period of a Pendulum

Damped Oscillations

Newton’s Law of Gravity

Gravitational Law

Gravitational Field

Gravitational Scale

Shell

Solid Sphere

Orbits of Planets & Satellites

Introduction

Gravitational Force

Energy of a Planet

Escape Velocity

Planetary Motion

Quiz

Problems

Labs

The Physical Pendulum

FLUID MECHANICS & THERMAL PHYSICS

Fluid Mechanics

Hydrostatic Pressure

Density

Specific Gravity

Pressure

Measuring Pressure

Pascal’s Principle

Water Tank

Buoyancy

Buoyancy & Force

Archimedes’ Principle

Examples of Buoyancy

Floating

Archimedes’ Crown

Fluid Flow Continuity

Continuity Equation

Applications of Flow Continuity

Faucet

Bernoulli’s Equation

Torricelli's Theorem

Applications of Bernoulli's Equation

Venturi Tube

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Bernoulli’s Equation

Temperature and Heat

Mechanical Equivalent of Heat

Introduction

Temperature

Heat

Mechanical Equivalent of Heat

Joule’s Apparatus

Specific & Latent Heat

Specific Heat

Latent Heat

Water-Ice Mixture

Heat Transfer & Thermal Expansion

Heat Transfer

Conduction

Home Insulation

Convection

Radiation

Thermal Expansion

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Mechanical Equivalent of Heat

Kinetic Theory & Thermodynamics

Ideal Gases

Gas Laws

Ideal Gas Law

Kinetic Theory

Laws of Thermodynamics

First Law of Thermodynamics

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Heat Pump

Entropy

Quiz

Problems

SECOND SEMESTER

ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM

Electrostatics

Electric Charges & Coulomb's Law

Charge & Matter

Charge Conservation

Conductors & Insulators

Coulomb's Law

Charge Balance

Electric Fields

Vector Fields

Electric Field

Electric Field Lines

Electric Dipole

Charged Plates

Charge Analyzer

Electric Potential

Potential Surfaces

Potential & Electric Field

Potential of a Point Charge

Potential of a Dipole

Charge Conductor

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Equipotentials & Electric Field

Conductors & Capacitors

Electrostatics with Conductors

Charges in Conductors

Conducting Sphere

Charged Spheres

Induced Charge

Capacitors

Capacitance

Parallel Plate Capacitor

Adjustable Capacitor

Energy Storage in Capacitors

Quiz

Problems

Electric Circuits

Current, Resistance, Power

Electric Current

Current Density & Drift Velocity

Resistance

Wire Maker

Electric Field in a Conductor

Power

DC Circuits with Batteries and Resistors

Electromotive Force

Single Loop Circuits

Resistors & Batteries in Series

Multiloop Circuits

Measuring Current & Voltage

Wheatstone Bridge

Capacitors in Circuits

Capacitor Combinations

Capacitor & Resistor Circuits

Flashing Light

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Series Circuits

Parallel Circuits

Ohm's Law

Magnetostatics

Forces on Moving Charges

Magnetic Fields

Right Hand Rule

Particle Motions

Mass Spectrometer

Forces on Current-carrying Wires in Magnetic Fields

Straight Segment

Loop of Wire

Magnetic Force

Fields of Long, Current-carrying wires

Near a Wire

Superposition

Attraction & Repulsion Forces

Parallel Conductors

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Forces on Currents

Electromagnetism

Electromagnetic Induction

Magnetic Flux

Lenz Law

Electric Generator

Pulling a Coil

Quiz

Problems

WAVES & OPTICS

Wave Motion

Wave Basics

Wave Motion

Wave Classification

Superposition

Wave Velocity

Pulses

Properties of Traveling Waves

Traveling Waves

Wavelength

Period

Wave Function

Properties of Standing Waves

Standing Waves

Normal Modes

Tacoma Bridge

Resonance

Sound Waves & Doppler Shift

Sound Waves

Standing Waves

Doppler Effect

Moving Source

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Velocity of Sound

Physical Optics

Interference & Diffraction

Introduction

Interference

Diffraction

Young's Experiment

Diffraction Grating

Thin-film Interference

Dispersion of Light & the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Introduction

Visible Light & Dispersion

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Polarization

Electromagnetic Waves

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Ripple Tank

Geometric Optics

Reflection & Refraction

Reflection

Refraction

Total Internal Reflection

Dispersion

Mirrors

Index of Refraction

Lenses

Images

Diverging Lens

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Optics Lab

ATOMIC & NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Atomic Physics & Quantum Effect

Photons & the Photoelectric Effect

Introduction

Electrons

Quantum Hypothesis

Photons

Photoelectric Effect

Photo Cell

Compton Effect

Atomic Energy Levels

Introduction

The Bohr Atom

Energy Level Transitions

Energy Levels

Wave-particle Duality

Introduction

Matter Waves

De Broglie Waves

Electron Diffraction

Electron Microscope

Quiz

Problems

Nuclear Physics

Nuclear Reactions

Introduction

Nuclear Notation

Radioactivity

Radioactive Decay

Radiocarbon Dating

Mass-Energy Equivalence

Introduction

Mass & Energy

Binding Energy

Nuclear Force

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Rocket

Quiz

Problems

Lab

Half-life Model